Table



Feb. 61, 1923.

c. A. sTElNUs TABLE Filed Apr. 20, 1921 2 sheets-sheet l FIG. 1

l A nverz for' M JM Feb. s, 1923. 1,444,645 C. A. STEINUS TABLE Filed Apr; zo, 1921 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Feb. 6, i923.

tiene learner CHARLES A. STEINUS, OFDETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TABLE.

Application filed April 20, 1921. Serial No. 462,963.

State of Michigan, have invented new and useful improvements in Tables, of which the following is a description, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in tables.

it is the object of the invention to provide an improved forni of foldable table, which is adaptable for serving meals in rooms of hotels and hospitals, etc., or for table, and which provides a. construction wherein, when the parts are adjusted for use, a most rigid, although exceedingly light and firm, structure is provided; and when folded or collapsed, the collapsing is such that the table takes up but a minimum of space.

The invention furthermore contemplates as a feature the utilization of a space beneath the table top for a removable. receptacle for dishes containing food, with provision for heating said receptacle` when the same is removed, and the order is being filled by the waiter or kitchen steward, and after all the food for a cer `ain room has been placed in the receptacle. the latter is inserted in thc table, and said table, owing to its lightness, can then be easily carried to the room where the meal is to be served, this being particularly advantageous in hotels and hospitals where meals are so frerpiently served in the rooms.

A further object is the adaptability, by slight modiiicatiou, of the table being carried in its collapsed condition, on an automobile trip, for use as a luncheon table, the modiiication heilig such that the table can be readily fitted to and carried on the spare. tire at the rear of the machine.

lith the above main objects, and other incidental objects, in view, the invention conists of' the devices and parts and combinations, or the equivalents thereof, as hereinafter more fully described.

ln the accompanying` drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the table in position for use;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one of the end hinge links for the table top sections, show-- use as a. card` ing the hinge pins therefor and being taken on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a an underside view of Fig. 1;

Fig. l is ay transverse section on the line 1 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View through one corner of the table, on the line 5-5- of Fig. 6 is a view on an enlarged scale, of

one of the intermediate hinge connections for the tab-le top sections, the view being. a: section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6ad is a. sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 632-6frL of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a sidel elevation-0n a-reduced scale, 'of the form of table shown on Sheet 1 of the drawings, showing` the table in its folded condition.

Fig. 8 is an end view of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a sectional viewon the line 9-9 of Fig. 3, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 10 is a view of a modified form of the table equipped with a receptacle for containinO food;

Fig. 11 is a sectional View on the. line 11-11of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a modification wherein' the table is adapted to be carried on, and secured to, the spare tire of an automobile.

The table top consists of two longitudinal sections 11 and 12, which are hinged to gether at their abutting edges by down.- wardly opening hinges consisting each of two members. with flange plate members 13 and 14, fitted beneath the respective having screws 15 passing therethrough and entering said table top sections.

The plate 13 is provided with an upwardly extending flange 16 having at its upper edge, and at opposite ends thereof, inwardly eX- tending ears 17-17 provided with rounded.

edges. This plate member 13 is also provided `with a lower extension 18.

The other plate member 14 is likewise provided with an upwardly extending viiange 19, having at its upper edge inwardly projecting ears 20'-20, with rounded edges which meet the rounded edges of the ears 17, so as to provide rolling surfaces for the free turning of the two hinge members.

The flange 19, 'near its lower edge,

These members are provided' table topV sections andA p ,and at.. opposite ends,y isv provided witli'tw'o inwardly,I

Q Lenaerts extending lugs 21-f21,l which, when the hinge members are in their normal position, fit into the space between the ears 17-17 and rest on the top of the extension 18 of plate 13. A top space is formed between ears 17and 20, and in this space is fitted a link piece 22. Hinge pins pass through eyes in the ears 1T and 20, and also through the corners of the link piece. This link piece, therefore, in conjunction with the hinge pins, forms a means for hingedly connecting the two members of the hinge together.

@ne pair of hinge members might be suiiicient to provide an intermediate hinge joint for the table top sections, but l prefer to provide two of these intermediate hinge sections, spaced a desired distance apart, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

The opposed et ges of the table top sections, where these intermediate hinges are located, is cut away so as to receive the upwardly extending iianges 16 and 19 of the respective hinge sections, so that the upper edges of said fianges and the upper surface of the link piece 22 will be flush with the upper surface of the table top sections. i Near the ends of the table top sections, and across the meeting edges thereof, are disposed additional hinge connections, consisting of narrow links 2&1-24, the opposed edges of the table top sections being cut away to accommodate the upper surfaces of said links, and the said links extending across the meeting edges of the table top sections. The portions of these links 24s beneath the tabl-e top are provided with eyes 25-25 which receive hinge pins 26-26, said hinge pins also entering lugs 9a7-227 on the underside of the table top sections.

The supporting legs of the table consist each of two sections, the lower section 25% being preferably of wood. The upper section 29 is preferably of light metal, and also preferably angular in cross section. rlihe lower end of each angular leg section 29 is bolted or riveted to the upper end of the lower leg` section 28.

rlhe table top sections are pivotally connected at their corners to the upper sections of the supportingi legs by means of pivot pins 30, each pin extending through one of the iianges of the upper legi` section and entering an eye in the depressed corner of the table top section, as most clearly shown in Fig. 5.

The top ends of the upper leg sections are flanged inwardly, as indicated by the numeral 29', to form a ledge beneath which the corner of the table top Ysections extends. and the depressed portions of this corner of the table top section receives the ledge 29', as most clearly shown in Fig. 5. The ledge referred to, therefore, forms a stop to limitthe upward movement of the table top sections on 'their hin. yWhen the table top sections are ned downwardly in the operation of collapsing the table, or in other words, when the if edges of said table top sections are forced downwardly, the end transverse edges of the tal'le top sectionsare received or housed in the angles of the upper angular leg sections 29. llfhen the fully collapsed. it isv folded in the oo V.ct condition shown most clearly .in Figs. 'i and f3 of the drawings.

The outer iongiti linal ed oi. each taille top section is provided with a metallic bon der strip 31, of 'the `form of a square tube in cross section.

Side braces are provided of arch-shaped "o"m Each side brace preferably consists of two membey i2-32, which are connected together at their abutting ends preferably by means of a ri, l l left hand threaded screw 33. The algiuttinf; ends are formed with screw tlnfeaded rece c s having respectively opposite threads,y and the right hand threads of one half of the screw .are turned into the recess having the right hand threads; and the left hand threaded recess of the other member oi the brace is made to engage and turn upon the left hand threads of the screw, and is turned thereon until the two ends of the brace moet. rlhe lower ends of the brnce members or sections are reduced and firmly connected by rivets or other securing devices to the lower sec tions 28 of the legs. These brace members are also `neferably of a square tubular form in cross section, and are provided near their upper ends interior-ly with a solid portion 3ft, through which ar vertical screw 35 turned. sfi f uw entering a block 36 disposed .ie border strip 51. .By this .inc-ans each arch-shaped section of the brace is secured to the border strip 31 adjacent thereto,

A turnable or liin;,ged connection should be provided between the outer longitudinal edges of the table top sections and the archshaped braces, as Otherwise the table top sections would be prevented from turning dowinvardlv when it is desired to collapse the table. To provide for this, l employ hinged leaves ti-H37 connected to the underside of the table and extending, respectively, outwardly and into the sections composing one of the arch-shaped members, where they are pivotally mounted upon pins 3S-38, each of said pins having one end supported in the side the solid portion 3ft, and its opposite end in a vert-ical web 3S. These pivots or hinges work in conjunction with the corner hinges or pins 30 in permitting the table top sections to be turned downwardly when it is desired to collapse. the table.

r longitudinal 'Ll-1l, and is held inse-,ees

ll/'hen' the table is unfoldedv so as to bring the table top sections to a horizontal position, it is, ot' course, necessary that these top sections should be supported in their horizontal position. To provide for this, l

employ at opposite ends ot-eaeh table topy section, two supporting arms, designated, respectively, 39 and 4:0. The ends ot each arm are adapted to swingv on vertical pivots 4l extending upwardly from the table leb'.

Each table top section, at opposite ends, is proizioed, on t angle pieces Ll-2--1l2- YWhen the arm 39, tor instance. is swingr to the supporting posi-- tion shown in FF d, seats itself in the bach port-ion olf tie angle pieces 4:2. The other supporting arm 10 is then swung to supporting position, and overlaps the arm and seats itselt'in the forward'portions oit the angle pieces 42 (sc eparticularly Fig. l of the drawings). lVhen it is'desired to collapse the table, arm i0 is irst swung` to a position so as to extend longitudinally of vone ot the table top sections, and then arm 39 is iree to be swung-to a position toY extend longitudinally of the other table to-p sec ion. Y

*ins 10 and 11 illustrate a modification oi the invention wherein is disposed vbeneath the end ot the table top sections, a receptacle subdivided into a series ot compartments 'for containing; hot dishes. ln this modifi-- cation the supporting1 'arms 39 andO, at one end. are' omitted to aiiord space :tor the'introduction ot the food container receptacle. rlhis food container receptacle is indicated by the numeral 43, and is divided into compartments by means oit horizontal partitions securely in place by means oil eccentrics deL-4d. The receptacle an'd these eccentrirs. therefore, serve the function ot supportinn` the table top sections at this end oi the table. The box is provided with vhinged doors 47:345 to provide ready access to the interior. The upper end of the bor` lies beneath the short angle piece i2 and is provided with angular plates 46 which are adapted to removably tit a keeper llsecured to the under side oit the table top.

rEhe lower edge of the tood receptacle rests npon two inner'ends hinged together by means'of a hinged linlr 48, similar in constructionto thehinged'lin'ks connecting' the inner edges of the table top sections near the outer ends ot' said sections, and illustrated in detail in 2 o'j the drawings. The opposite ends ot the arms l? are pvotallyconnected by pins 49-49'to the upper angular legsections. ln this modification it is necessary that the upper leg' sections be made considerably longer than the lower les; sections so` as' to accommodate therebetween the food receptacle.

is underside, with short arms 4271-47 having. their' ln using 'this modified term oit construction, the receptacle rcinoved'trom the table, and the compartments are lled with dishes containing.;` hot tood, in the kitchen, and 'for the purpose of keeping the dishes containing` the food hot while inthe receptacle, and betere the order is completely filled, l provide a so het a9', which may be connected up 'to a source of electrical supply. fitter the order is `filled, the receptacle is reinserted in place beneath the table, and said table then carried tothe room where the food is to be taken, and by opening the doors 4:5, the dishes may be removed trom the compartmentsI and placed upon the table top, ready to be served.

lhen it is desired to'collapse this torni of the device, it is necessary to entirely disconnect and remove the Jfood receptacle. littery the spare tire ot an automobile, so that the f table can be conveniently carried lon an automobile trip, and used for serving food thereon. ln' this igure of the drawing, the numeral 50 indicates thel automobile, and 51 the spare tire at the rear thereot. ln view of the tactthat the side braces of the table are arched or of curved Jform, they will` lit over the spare tire, and conform to the contour thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 12. lt would not do, however, in a table adapted to be thus carried, for the table top sections, when the table is inl collapsed position, to turn downwardly on the hinged connections, as this would interfere with the fitting of the arched braces to ythe automobile tire. ln View o'l this, the construction is modiiied to the extent of reversingthe hinges which connect the inner edges of thetable top sections togrether. the reversal permitting' of the turning.upwardly of the table top sections, asclearly `shown in Fig. 12.

When the table is thus supported bythe tire, in order. to securely hold the table to the tire, straps 52 are employed, the top strap 52 passing overthe upper edges of the table top sections and thence downwardly and' beneath the tire, andthe shorter side straps passing; around the legs of the table and around the tire. lt is also preferred that'the table and the rear tire be covered with a" suitable fabric covering orv bag, and a fragment of this is illustratedin liigg. 12, and indicated by thev numeral 53. V

From the foregoing; description ot my invention, it will be seen that it covers a form of collapsible table which is not only light in weight, but which, Jfurthermore, is strong.

'ai y nce-acca and firmly braced tl'iroughout. The peva top consisting or sections, having` their inner edges ad] parallel, supporting legs, the upper portions of which at least being angular in cross section, hinges connectinrf; the inner edges of the top sections, other hinge connections between "he l` ano oie cow sections,

l. .L lred to bc of the table top Wnei bv said section l f! 1 l L7 L ioldeo together, an site eno 0 i i lr horizonteioposition.

E2. in a toldable table, the combination et a table consisting of sections, having their inner enges adjacent and parallel, and having;` their corners lepressed, supporting legs, the upper portions of which at least seingangular in cross section, and the upper ends or" said legs provided each with an inwardlyT projecting,` leoge beneath which the depressed corner of the table top section its, hinges connecting` the inner edges of the table top sections, other hinge connections between the legs and the corners of the table top sections, whereby said sections are permitted to be folded together, and their opposite end edges brought into the channels or" the angular portions or the supporting legs, and nieans for supporting` the table top sections in their horizontal position.

3. ln a toldable table, the combination oit atop consisting of sections, having` their inner edges adjacent and parallel, supportingv legs, hinges connecting the inner edges oit the table top sections, other hinge connections between the legs and the corners-oi the table top sections, whereby said sections are permitted to be folded together and the brought adjacent to the folded top sections,

a supperting` arm pivoted to the legs and adapted to be turned under and across the table top sections to support said sections their horizontal position, and to be turned in the opposite direction to perinit of the table top sections being folded together.

fl. ln a i'oldable table, the combination of a top consisting of sections, having their inner edges adjacent and parallel, supporting' legs, hinges connecting the kinner edges oli the table top sections, other hinge connections between the legs and the corners oi the table top sections, whereby the said sections are permitted to be olde" togei'gher and the legs to be brought adjacent to the folded table to` sections anale pieces se- P s o cured to the undersides of the respective table top sections, near the ends thereof, and supporting arrns pivoted to the legs and adapted to be turned under and across the table top sections and into engagement with the angle pieces, one arm overlapping the other in said angle pieces.

5. ln a oldable table, the combination of a top consisting or sections, having their inner edges adjacent and parallel, supporting` legs, hinges connecting the inner ledges of the table top sections, other hinge connections between the legs and the corners of the table top sections, whereby said sections are permitted to be rpolded together and the legs brougzjlfit acont to the tolded top sections, a supporting arno. pivotcd to the legs and adapted to be turned under and across the table top sections to support said sections in horizontal position, and to be turned in the opposite direction to permit of the table top sections beingfolded together, and

side braces connected to the legs and eX- tendingl upwardly and having hinged or pivoted connections with the outer edges of the respective table top sections.

v6. ln :toldable table, the combination of a top consisting of sections having their inedges adjacent and parallel, supporting legs, hinges connecting the inner edges of the table top sections, other hinge connections between the and the corners oi' the table top sections, whereby said sections are permitted to be folded together and the legs brought adjacent to the folded top sections, supporting, arm pivoted to the legs and adapted to be turned under and across the table top sections to support said sections in horizontal position, and to be turned in the opposite direction to permit of the table top sections being folded together, and arch shaped side braces, each havingits lower ends connected to the supportingg,- legs, and having;` its upper central portion hingedly or pivotally connected tothe outer edge ot the table top sections.

7. ln a foldable table, the combination of a top consisting of sections having' their edges adjacent and parallel, supporting legs, hinges connecting the inner edges of the table top sections, other hinge connections between the legs and the corners of the table top sections, border strips for the opposite side edges of the table top sections, each border strip being' of square tubular torno.v

der strips and being` secured therej iso hinge connections between the table top sections and the arch shaped brace pieces, and means Jr'or supporting the table top sections in their horizontal position.

lar border strip.

ln a ioldable table, the combination ot a table consisting of sections, having their edges adjacent and parallel, supporting legs, hinges connecting the inner edges ot the table top sections, other hinge connections between the legs and the corners ci the table top sections, border strips tor the opposite side edges of the table top sections, each border strip being ot square tubular form in cross section, an arch shaped brace tor each table top section, the said brace being angular in cross section, and the lower ends thereof rigidly secured to two ot the supporting legs, and the upper central portion of each brace being located beneath one of the border strips, and being secured thereto by means ci' screws passing through solid portions 'formed in the arch shaped brace, and passing into the blocks within the tubular border strips, a hinge connection consisting of a. leaf secured to the underside of the table top section and extending out.- wardly into the arch shaped brace and freely mounted at its outer end on a pin carried in bearings in the arch shaped brace, and means tor supporting` the table top sections in their horizontal position.

9. ln a oldable table, the combination of a top consisting of sections having their edges adjacent and parallel, supporting legs, hinges connecting the inner edges ci the table top sections, other hinge connections between the legs the corners ot the table top sections, border strips for the opposite side edges o'l the table top sections. each border strip being of square tubular form in cross section, an arch shaped brace for eac i table section, angular in cross section` the lower ends thereof rigidly secured to two ci the supporting legs, and the upper ends thereof being connected together by a screw turning into threaded recesses in the ends of the said sections, and the upper central portion ot the sectional brace being located beneath one ci the border strips and being secured thereto by means ci screws passing through solid portions formed in the arch shaped brace, and also passing into the blocks with in the tubular border strip, hinge connections between the table top sections and the arch shaped brace piece, and means for supporting the table top sections ii their horirental posit-ion. v

l0. A oldable table, comprising a top consisting oit sections having their inner edges adjacent and parallel, a hinge connection tor the inner edges of the table top sections, said hinge connection consisting ot two plates secured tothe undersides oi' the respective table top sections, and said plates provided with upwardly extending tlanges having inwardly extending contacting lugs with rounded ends, and one ot said plates also provided with an extension, and the other with a projection adapted to overlie said extension when the hinge members are brought together, a hinge link within the space oil'l the upwardly extending flanges and the end lugs ot said anges, and pivot pins extending through the said end lugs and through the hinge link, the contiguous edges of the table top sections being cut away to accommodate the upper flanges of the hinge members, and the upper surfaces ot said flanges and the upper surface or" the link being flush with the upper side of the table top sections, supporting legs, hinge connections between the supporting legs and the corners of the table top sections, whereby said sections are permitted to be tolded'together and the leO's brought adjacent to the folded sections, and means forV supporting the table top sections in their horizontal position.

ll. ln a foldable table, the combination with a top consisting ot sections having their inner edges adjacent and parallel, of a hinge connection 'or the inner edges of the table top sections, said hinge connection consisting ont two plates secured tothe undersides ot the respective table top sections, and said plates provided with upwardly extending complementary lugs with rounded edges, and a hinge link within the space o'f the upwardly extending flanges and the end lugs of said flanges, said link having pivot pins extending therethrough and through the end lugs, the contiguous edges of the table top sections being cut away to accommodate the upwardly extending flanges ot the hinge members, with the upper surfaces of said flanges and the upper surface of the hinge link flush with the upper table top sections.

ln testimony whereof, l atliX my signature.

CHARLES A. SlElNUS.

side of the 

